Scalable video coding method and apparatus using inter prediction mode

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a scalable video coding method and apparatus using inter prediction mode. A decoding method includes determining motion information prediction mode on a target decoding block of an enhancement layer, predicting motion information on the target decoding block of the enhancement layer using motion information on the neighboring blocks of the enhancement layer, if the determined motion information prediction mode is a first mode, and predicting the motion information on the target decoding block of the enhancement layer using motion information on a corresponding block of a reference layer, if the determined motion information prediction mode is a second mode.

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/659,006 filed on Oct. 24, 2012, which claims benefit to ApplicationNo. 61/551,442 filed Oct. 26, 2011, and which claims benefit under 35U.S.C. §119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0131156 filedDec. 8, 2011, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the contentsof all of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to video processing technology and, moreparticularly, to a scalable video coding method and apparatus forcoding/decoding a video.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

As broadcasting service having High Definition (1280×720 or 1920×1080)is extended domestically and globally, lots of users are becomingaccustomed to pictures of high resolution and high picture quality andthus lots of organizations put spurs to the development of thenext-generation picture devices. Furthermore, as interest in Ultra HighDefinition (UHD) having resolution 4 times higher than the HDTV,together with HDTV, is increasing, moving picture standardizationorganizations have recognized a necessity for compression technology fora picture of higher resolution and high picture quality. Furthermore,there is a need for a new standard which can provide the same picturequality as that of the existing coding methods and also provide lots ofadvantages in terms of a frequency band and storage through compressionefficiency higher than that of H.264/Advanced Video Coding (AVC), thatis, a moving picture compression coding standard that is now used inHDTV and mobile phones. Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and VideoCoding Experts Group (VCEG) jointly perform a standardization task forHigh Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), that is, the next-generation videocodec. An outline object of HEVC is to code a video, including a UHDimage, in compression efficiency that is twice that of H.264/AVC. HEVCcan provide not only HD and UHD images, but also an image of highpicture quality in a frequency lower than a current frequency even in 3Dbroadcasting and mobile communication networks.

In HEVC, a prediction picture can be generated by performing predictionon a picture spatially or temporally, and a difference between anoriginal picture and the predicted picture can be coded. Picture codingefficiency can be improved by this prediction coding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a scalable video codingmethod and apparatus which can improve coding/decoding efficiency.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a scalablevideo decoding method includes determining motion information predictionmode on a target decoding block of an enhancement layer; predictingmotion information on the target decoding block of the enhancement layerusing motion information on the neighboring blocks of the enhancementlayer, if the determined motion information prediction mode is a firstmode; and predicting the motion information on the target decoding blockof the enhancement layer using motion information on a correspondingblock of a reference layer, if the determined motion informationprediction mode is a second mode.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a scalablevideo decoding apparatus includes a first motion prediction moduleconfigured to predict motion information on a target decoding block ofan enhancement layer using motion information on neighboring blocks anda second motion prediction module configured to predict motioninformation on a target decoding block of the enhancement layer usingmotion information on a corresponding block of a reference layer,wherein any one of the first and the second motion prediction units isused to predict the motion information on the target decoding block ofthe enhancement layer according to motion information prediction modesignaled by a coding apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompany drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of this document and are incorporated on and constitute apart of this specification illustrate embodiments of this document andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of thisdocument.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to anembodiment of a video coding apparatus to which the present invention isapplied;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to anembodiment of a videovideo decoding apparatus to which the presentinvention is applied;

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a concept of a picture and ablock which are used in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an embodiment of ascalable video coding structure based on multiple layers;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the configuration ofa motion compensation unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the configuration ofa second motion prediction module shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a scalable video coding method inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an inter-layer intercoding method;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a scalable video coding method inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a scalable video coding method inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments are described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the embodiments ofthe present invention, a detailed description of the known functions andconstructions will be omitted if it is deemed to make the gist of thepresent invention unnecessarily vague.

When it is said that one element is “connected” or “coupled” to theother element, the one element may be directly connected or coupled tothe other element, but it should be understood that a third element mayexist between the two elements. Furthermore, in the present invention,the contents describing that a specific element is “included (orcomprised)” does not mean that elements other than the specific elementare excluded, but means that additional elements may be included in theimplementation of the present invention or in the scope of technicalspirit of the present invention.

Terms, such as the first and the second, may be used to describe variouselements, but the elements should not be restricted by the terms. Theterms are used to only distinguish one element and the other elementfrom each other. For example, a first element may be named a secondelement without departing from the scope of the present invention.Likewise, a second element may also be named a first element.

Furthermore, elements described in the embodiments of the presentinvention are independently shown in order to indicate different andcharacteristic functions, and it does not mean that each of the elementsconsists of separate hardware or a piece of software unit. That is, theelements are arranged, for convenience of description, and at least twoof the elements may be combined to form one element or one element maybe divided into a plurality of elements and the plurality of elementsmay perform functions. An embodiment in which the elements are combinedor each of the elements is divided is included in the scope of thepresent invention without departing from the essence of the presentinvention.

Furthermore, in the present invention, some elements may not beessential elements for performing essential functions, but may beoptional elements for improving only performance. The present inventionmay be embodied using only the essential elements for implementing theessence of the present invention other than the elements used to improveonly performance, and a structure including only the essential elementsother than the optional elements used to improve only performance areincluded in the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to anembodiment of a video coding apparatus to which the present invention isapplied.

Referring to FIG. 1, the video coding apparatus 100 includes a motionprediction unit 111, a motion compensation unit 112, an intra predictionunit 120, a switch 115, a subtractor 125, a transform unit 130, aquantization unit 140, an entropy coding unit 150, an inversequantization unit 160, an inverse transform unit 170, an adder 175, afilter unit 180, and a reference picturepicture buffer 190.

The video coding apparatus 100 performs coding on an input video inintra mode or inter mode and outputs a bitstream. Intra prediction meansintra-picture prediction, and inter prediction means inter-pictureprediction. In the case of the intra mode, the switch 115 is switched tothe intro mode, and in the case of the inter mode, the switch 115 isswitched to the inter mode. The video coding apparatus 100 generates aprediction block for the input block of the input picture and codes adifference between the input block and the prediction block.

In the case of the intra mode, the intra prediction unit 120 generatesthe prediction block by performing spatial prediction using the pixelvalues of coded neighboring blocks.

In a motion prediction process, forthe case of the inter mode, themotion prediction unit 111 searches a reference picture, stored in thereference picture buffer 190, for a region that is most well matchedwith an input block and calculates a motion vector based on theretrieved reference picture. The motion compensation unit 112 generatesa prediction block by performing motion compensation using the motionvector.

The subtractor 125 generates a residual block based on a differencebetween the input block and the generated prediction block. Thetransform unit 130 transforms the residual block and outputs transformcoefficients. Furthermore, the quantization unit 140 quantizes the inputtransform coefficients based on quantization parameters and outputsquantized coefficients. The entropy coding unit 150 performs entropycoding on the input quantized coefficient based on a probabilitydistribution and outputs a bitstream.

In HEVC, a current coded picture needs to be decoded and stored in orderto be used as a reference picture because inter prediction coding, thatis, inter-picture prediction coding, is performed. Accordingly, aquantized coefficient is dequantized by the inverse quantization(dequantization) unit 160 and inversely transformed by the inversetransform unit 170. Dequantized and inversely transformed coefficientsare added to a prediction block by the adder 175, so that areconstruction block is generated.

The reconstruction block is input to the filter unit 180. The filterunit 180 may apply at least one of a deblocking filter, a SampleAdaptive Offset (SAO), and an Adaptive Loop Filter (ALF) to areconstruction block or a reconstructed picture. The filter unit 180 mayalso be called an adaptive in-loop filter. The deblocking filter canremove block distortion that occurs at the boundary between blocks. TheSAO can add a proper offset value to a pixel value in order tocompensate for a coding error. The ALF can perform filtering based on avalue obtained by comparing a reconstructed picture with an originalpicture, and the filtering may be performed only when high efficiency isapplied. The reconstruction block output from the filter unit 180 isstored in the reference picture buffer 190.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to anembodiment of a video decoding apparatus to which the present inventionis applied.

Referring to FIG. 2, the video decoding apparatus 200 includes anentropy decoding unit 210, an inverse quantization unit 220, an inversetransform unit 230, an intra prediction unit 240, a motion compensationunit 250, a filter unit 260, and a reference picture buffer 270.

The video decoding apparatus 200 receives a bitstream from a coder,decodes the bitstream in intra mode or inter mode, and outputs areconfigured picture according to the decoding, that is, areconstruction picture. A switch is switched to intra mode in the caseof intra mode and to inter mode in the case of inter mode. The videodecoding apparatus 200 obtains a residual block from an input bitstream,generates a prediction block and generates a block configured by addingthe residual block and the prediction block, that is, a reconstructionblock.

The entropy decoding unit 210 performs entropy decoding on the inputbitstream according to a probability distribution and outputs aquantized coefficient. The quantized coefficients are dequantized by theinverse quantization (dequantization) unit 220 and then inverselytransformed by the inverse transform unit 230. The inverse transformunit (230) outputsa residual block.

In the case of intra mode, the intra prediction unit 240 generates aprediction block by performing spatial prediction using the pixel valuesof coded blocks that are neighboring to a current block.

In the case of inter mode, the motion compensation unit 250 generates aprediction block by performing motion compensation using a motion vectorand a reference picture stored in the reference picture buffer 270.

The residual block and the prediction block are added by an adder 255.The added block is input into the filter unit 260. The filter unit 260may apply at least one of a deblocking filter, an SAO, and an ALF to areconstruction block or a reconstruction picture. The filter unit 260outputs a reconfigured picture, that is, a reconstruction picture. Thereconstruction picture can be stored in the reference picture buffer 270and used in inter-picture prediction.

A method of improving the prediction performance of coding/decodingapparatuses includes a method of improving the accuracy of aninterpolation picture and a method of predicting a difference signal.Here, the difference signal is a signal indicating a difference betweenan original picture and a prediction picture. In the present invention,a “difference signal” may be replaced with a “differential signal”, a“residual block”, or a “differential block” depending on context, and aperson having ordinary skill in the art will distinguish them within arange that does not affect the spirit and essence of the invention.

Although the accuracy of an interpolation picture is improved, adifference signal is inevitably occurred. In order to improve codingperformance, it is necessary to reduce a difference signal to be codedto a maximum extent by improving the prediction performance of thedifference signal.

A filtering method using a fixed filter coefficient may be used as amethod of predicting a difference signal. However, the predictionperformance of this filtering method is limited because the filtercoefficient cannot be adaptively used according to picturecharacteristics. Accordingly, it is necessary to improve the accuracy ofprediction in such a manner that filtering is performed for eachprediction block according to its characteristics.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a concept of a picture and ablock which are used in an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a target coding block is a set of pixels that arespatially coupled within a current target coding picture. The targetcoding block is a unit on which coding and decoding are performed, andit may have a quadrangle or a specific shape. A neighboringreconstruction block is a block on which coding and decoding have beenperformed before a current target coding block is coded within a currenttarget coding picture.

A prediction picture is a picture including a collection of predictionblocks used to code respective target coding blocks from the firsttarget coding block to the current target coding block picture within acurrent target coding picture. Here, the prediction block refers to ablock having a prediction signal used to code each target coding blockwithin the current target coding picture. That is, the prediction blockrefers to each of blocks within a prediction picture.

A neighboring block refers to a neighboring reconstruction block of acurrent target coding block and a neighboring prediction block, that is,the prediction block of each neighboring reconstruction block. That is,a neighboring block refers to both a neighboring reconstruction blockand a neighboring prediction block.

The prediction block of a current target coding block may be aprediction block that is generated by the motion compensation unit 112or the intra prediction unit 120 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.In this case, after a prediction block filtering process is performed onthe prediction block generated by the motion compensation unit 112 orthe intra prediction unit 120, the subtractor 125 may performsubtracting a filtered final prediction block from an original block.

A neighboring block may be a block stored in the reference picturebuffer 190 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 or a block stored inadditional memory. Furthermore, a neighboring reconstruction block or aneighboring prediction block generated during a picture coding processmay be used as a neighboring block.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an embodiment of ascalable video coding structure based on multiple layers. In FIG. 4, aGroup Of Picture (GOP) indicates a picture group, that is, a group ofpictures.

A transmission medium is necessary to transmit video data, and atransmission medium has different performance depending on a variety ofnetwork environments. A scalable video coding method can be provided forthe purpose of an application to a variety of transmission media ornetwork environments.

The scalable video coding method is a coding method of improvingcoding/decoding performance by removing redundancy between layers usingtexture information, motion information, and a residual signal betweenlayers. The scalable video coding method can provide a variety ofscalabilities from spatial, temporal, and picture quality points of viewdepending on surrounding conditions, such as a transfer bit rate, atransfer error rate, and system resources.

Scalable video coding can be performed using a multi-layer structure sothat a bitstream applicable to a variety of network situations can beprovided. For example, a scalable video coding structure may include abase layer for performing compression and processing on picture datausing a common picture coding method and an enhancement layer forperforming compression and processing on picture data using bothinformation on the coding of the base layer and a common picture codingmethod.

Here, a layer means a set of pictures and bitstream which aredistinguished from one another according to criteria, such as a space(e.g., a picture size), time (e.g., coding order and picture outputorder), picture quality, and complexity. Furthermore, multiple layersmay have mutual dependency.

Referring to FIG. 4, for example, a base layer may be defined to have aQuarter Common Intermediate Format (QCIF), a frame rate of 15 Hz, and abit rate of 3 Mbps. A first enhancement layer may be defined to have aCommon Intermediate Format (CIF), a frame rate of 30 Hz, and a bit rateof 0.7 Mbps. A second enhancement layer may be defined to have StandardDefinition (SD), a frame rate of 60 Hz, and a bit rate of 0.19 Mbps. Theformats, the frame rates, and the bit rates are only illustrative andmay be differently determined as occasion demands. Furthermore, thenumber of layers is not limited to that of the present embodiment, butmay be differently determined according to situations.

If a bitstream having a CIF and 0.5 Mbps is necessary, a bitstream maybe segmented and transmitted in the first enhancement layer so that thebitstream has the bit rate of 0.5 Mbps. A scalable video coding methodcan provide temporal, spatial, and picture quality scalabilities throughthe method described in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 3.

Hereinafter, a target layer, a target picture, a target slice, a targetunit, a target block, a target symbol, and a target bin mean a layer, apicture, a slice, a unit, a block, a symbol, and a bin, respectively,which are now being coded or decode. Accordingly, a target layer may bea layer to which a target symbol belongs, for example. Furthermore,other layers are layers except a target layer, and layers that thetarget can refer to. That is, other layers may be used to performdecoding in a target layer. Layers which a target layer can use mayinclude temporal, spatial, and picture quality lower layers, forexample.

Furthermore, a corresponding layer, a corresponding picture, acorresponding slice, a corresponding unit, a corresponding block, acorresponding symbol, and a corresponding bin hereinafter mean a layer,a picture, a slice, a unit, a block, a symbol, and a bin, respectively,corresponding to a target layer, a target picture, a target slice, atarget unit, a target block, a target symbol, and a target bin. Acorresponding picture refers to a picture of another layer that isplaced in the same time axis as that of a target picture. If a picturewithin a target layer has the same display order as a picture withinanother layer, it can be said that the picture within the target layerand the picture within another layer are placed in the same time axis.Whether pictures are placed in the same time axis or not can be checkedusing a coding parameter, such as a Picture Order Count (POC). Acorresponding slice refers to a slice placed at a position that isspatially the same as or similar to that of the target slice of a targetpicture within a corresponding picture. A corresponding unit refers to aunit placed at a position that is spatially the same as or similar tothat of the target unit of a target picture within a correspondingpicture. A corresponding block refers to a block placed at a positionthat is spatially the same as or similar to that of the target block ofa target picture within a corresponding picture.

Furthermore, a slice indicating a unit on which a picture is split ishereinafter used as a meaning that generally refers to a partition unit,such as a tile and an entropy slice. Independent picture coding anddecoding are possible between partition units.

Furthermore, a block hereinafter means a unit of picture coding anddecoding. When a picture is coded and decoded, a coding or decoding unitrefers to a partition unit when splitting one picture into partitionunits and coding or decoding the partition units. Thus, the coding ordecoding unit may also be called a macro block, a Coding Unit (CU), aPrediction Unit (PU), a Transform Unit (TU), or a transform block, etc.One block may be further split into smaller lower blocks.

Inter layer Intra prediction, inter layer inter prediction, or interlayer differential signal prediction can be performed in order to removeredundancy between layers by taking the characteristics of scalablevideo coding, such as those described above, into consideration.

The inter-layer inter prediction is a method of using motion informationon the corresponding block of a reference layer in an enhancement layer.This is described in detail later.

A scalable video coding method in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention is described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 5to 10. Meanwhile, a method of coding an enhancement layer, such as thatdescribed with reference to FIG. 4, is described below.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of thedecoding apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 5 shows a detailed configuration of the motioncompensation unit 250 shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 5, the motion compensation unit 250 predicts motioninformation (e.g., a motion vector) using a plurality of motionprediction methods. To this end, the motion compensation unit 250 mayinclude a first motion prediction module 251 and a second motionprediction module 255 configured to predict the target decoding block ofan enhancement layer using different methods.

The first motion prediction module 251 may use motion information onneighboring blocks within an enhancement layer in order to predictmotion information on the target decoding block of the enhancementlayer.

For example, the motion merging module 252 of the first motionprediction module 251 may use motion information on neighboringcandidate blocks as motion information on the target decoding block andpredict motion information on the target decoding block of theenhancement layer using a motion merging method defined in HEVC, forexample.

More particularly, in the motion merging method, a coding apparatus canselect any one motion merging candidate from a motion merging candidatelist in which motion information on neighboring blocks are combined andsignaled an index for the selected motion merging candidate.

Meanwhile, the decoding apparatus can select any one motion mergingcandidate as a motion vector for the target decoding block using themotion merging candidate index signaled by the coding apparatus from amotion merging candidate list, previously produced.

The motion vector prediction module 253 can use one candidate blockhaving optimum performance in a viewpoint of rate-distortion, from amongmotion information on neighboring candidate blocks and predict motioninformation on the target decoding block of the enhancement layer usingan Advanced Motion Vector Prediction (AMVP) method defined in HEVC, forexample.

Particularly, a coding apparatus can compare rate-distortion cost valueswith each other for candidates in an AMVP candidate list includingmotion information on neighboring blocks, select any one motionprediction candidate based on a result of the comparison, and signals anindex for the selected motion prediction candidate.

Meanwhile, the decoding apparatus can select any one motion predictioncandidate using the motion prediction candidate index signaled by thecoding apparatus from the motion prediction candidate list that has beenpreviously produced and generate a motion vector for the target decodingblock of the enhancement layer by adding a Motion Vector Difference(MVD) to the selected motion prediction candidate.

Meanwhile, the second motion prediction module 255 can predict motioninformation on the target decoding block of the enhancement layer usingmotion information on the corresponding block of the reference layer.

Referring to FIG. 6, the second motion prediction module 255 may includea scaling unit 256 and a motion vector generating unit 257.

The scaling unit 256 can adaptively scale the motion information on thecorresponding block of the reference layer depending on a differencebetween the resolutions of the layers. The motion vector generating unit257 can generate the motion vector for the target decoding block of theenhancement layer by adding the MVD to the scaled motion information.

For example, the reference layer may be a base layer.

In the decoding apparatus according with an embodiment of the presentinvention, a module selected from the motion merging module 252, themotion vector prediction module 253, and the second motion predictionmodule 255, such as those described above, according to motionprediction mode can configure the motion vector for the target decodingblock of the enhancement layer to be used in the motion compensationunit 250 based on motion information transferred from the entropy codingunit 150 or motion information derived from the reference layer.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a scalable video coding method inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Theillustrated video coding method is described in connection with theblock diagrams showing the configuration of the decoding apparatus ofFIGS. 5 and 6 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, whether or not motion information prediction modefor a current target decoding block of an enhancement layer is a mode inwhich inter-layer inter coding will be performed is determined at stepS300.

For example, the motion information prediction mode is determined basedon information signaled by a coding apparatus. Particularly, thesignaled information may include a flag indicating whether inter-layerinter coding will be performed or not.

Furthermore, the step S300 of determining the motion informationprediction mode and a series of steps thereafter may be performed in aCU unit.

If it is determined that the motion information prediction mode is afirst mode in which inter-layer inter coding is not performed, the firstmotion prediction module 251 obtains motion information on theneighboring blocks of an enhancement layer at step S310 and predictsmotion information on the target decoding block of the enhancement layerusing the obtained motion information on the neighboring blocks at stepS330.

If however, it is determined that the motion information prediction modeis a second mode in which inter-layer inter coding is performed, thesecond motion prediction module 255 obtains motion information on thecorresponding block of a reference layer at step S320 and predictsmotion information on the target decoding block of the enhancement layerusing the obtained motion information on the corresponding block of thereference layer at step S330.

Referring to FIG. 8, the scaling unit 256 of the second motionprediction module 255 can generate a motion vector for the targetdecoding block B1 by scaling a motion vector for the corresponding blockB2 of the base layer based on a difference between the resolutions ofthe enhancement layer and the base layer in order to predict the motioninformation on the target decoding block of the enhancement layer B1.

For example, the corresponding block B2 of the base layer may be a blockthat is most well matched with the target decoding block B1 of theenhancement layer among blocks existing in the base layer, or may be aco-located block that has a position corresponding to the targetdecoding block B1 of the enhancement layer.

Furthermore, if a current target decoding block is included in the baselayer not in the enhancement layer, the first motion prediction module251 can predict motion information on the target decoding block of thebase layer using motion information on neighboring blocks.

Meanwhile, relating to the generation of a prediction picture for videocoding, in skip mode, motion information can be derived from neighboringblocks and a prediction picture or block can be generated based on thederived motion information, but the motion information or residualpicture information may not be coded or decoded.

A video coding method in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention may be differently performed depending on whether the skipmode is used or not.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a scalable video coding method inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9shows an example of a video decoding method when the skip mode is notused.

Referring to FIG. 9, first, whether inter-layer inter coding isperformed on a current target decoding block of an enhancement layer ornot is determined at step S400.

If it is determined that the inter-layer inter coding is not performed,the motion merging module 252 decodes a motion merging candidate indexsignaled by a coding apparatus at step S410 and selects one motionmerging candidate as a motion vector for the target decoding block ofthe enhancement layer at step S420 using the decoded motion mergingcandidate index from a motion merging candidate list, previouslyproduced.

If it is determined that the inter-layer inter coding is performed, thesecond motion prediction module 255 derives a motion vector for acorresponding block of a reference layer at step S430 and scales thederived motion vector according to resolution at step S440.

For example, the scaling unit 256 of the second motion prediction module255 scales the motion vector for the corresponding block of thereference layer according to a difference between the resolutions of thereference layer and the enhancement layer. If the reference layer andthe enhancement layer have the same resolution, the step S440 may beomitted and the motion vector for the corresponding block of thereference layer may be used as the motion vector for the target decodingblock of the enhancement layer.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a scalable video coding method inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10shows an example of a video decoding method when the skip mode is used.

Referring to FIG. 10, first, whether inter-layer inter coding isperformed on a current target decoding block of an enhancement layer ornot is determined at step S500.

If it is determined that the inter-layer inter coding is not performed,the motion vector prediction module 253 decodes a motion predictioncandidate index signaled by a coding apparatus at step S510 and selectsa motion vector using the decoded motion prediction candidate index froma motion prediction candidate list that has been previously produced atstep S520.

Next, the motion vector prediction module 253 decodes a Motion VectorDifference (MVD) signaled by the coding apparatus at step S530 andgenerates a motion vector for a target decoding block of the enhancementlayer by adding the decoded MVD to the motion vector selected at stepS520 at step S540.

If it is determined that the inter-layer inter coding is performed, thesecond motion prediction module 255 derives a motion vector for acorresponding block of a reference layer at step S550 and the scalingunit 256 of the second motion prediction module 255 scales the derivedmotion vector according to a difference between the resolutions of thereference layer and the enhancement layer at step S560.

Next, the motion vector generating unit 257 decodes an MVD signaled bythe coding apparatus at step S570 and generates a motion vector for thetarget decoding block of the enhancement layer by adding the decoded MVDto the scaled motion vector at step S580.

The scalable video coding methods and apparatus in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention have been described above on thebasis of a video decoding method and apparatus, but the scalable videocoding method in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionmay be embodied by performing a series of steps according to a decodingmethod, such as that described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10.

More particularly, in accordance with the scalable video coding methodsand apparatuses according to the embodiments of the present invention,an intra prediction mode for a target coding block of an enhancementlayer can be selected and a prediction signal can be generated accordingto the selected intra prediction mode by performing intra predictionhaving the same construction as that of a decoding method and apparatus,such as those described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in scalablevideo coding based on multiple layers, in order to predict motioninformation on an enhancement layer, motion information on neighboringblocks and motion information on a corresponding block of a base layerare selectively used. Accordingly, coding efficiency can be improvedbecause the number of bits necessary for coding and decoding is reduced,and thus improved picture quality can be provided in the same bit rate.

In the above exemplary systems, although the methods have been describedon the basis of the flowcharts using a series of the steps or blocks,the present invention is not limited to the sequence of the steps, andsome of the steps may be performed in order different from that of theremaining steps or may be performed simultaneously with the remainingsteps. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that thesteps shown in the flowcharts are not exclusive and they may includeother steps or one or more steps of the flowchart may be deleted withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention.

The above embodiments include various aspects of examples. Although allpossible combinations for describing the various aspects may not bedescribed, those skilled in the art may appreciate that othercombinations are possible. Accordingly, the present invention should beconstrued as including all other replacements, modifications, andchanges which fall within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of decoding a scalable video with adecoding apparatus, the method comprising: generating a motion candidatelist for a target decoding block in a current layer, the motioncandidate list including a first motion vector and a second motionvector, the first motion vector being derived from at least one ofneighboring blocks adjacent to the target decoding block, and the secondmotion vector being derived from a corresponding block in a referencelayer; obtaining a motion vector predictor of the target decoding blockusing the motion candidate list and index information, the indexinformation being signaled to specify the motion vector predictor fromthe motion candidate list; and performing an inter prediction on thetarget decoding block using the motion vector predictor.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the corresponding block belongs to a correspondingpicture in the reference layer to be used as a reference picture of thetarget decoding block.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thecorresponding picture is representative of a picture having a samepicture order count (POC) as a current picture including the targetdecoding block among a plurality of pictures in the reference layer. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the corresponding picture isrepresentative of one of reference pictures arranged in a referencepicture list for the target decoding block.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the corresponding picture is added to the reference picture listbased on whether to perform an inter-layer prediction for the targetdecoding block.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the correspondingblock is representative of a co-located block of the target decodingblock within the corresponding picture.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the second motion vector is derived by scaling a motion vectorof the corresponding block based on a difference between a size of acurrent picture including the target decoding block and a size of acorresponding picture including the corresponding block.